DATA SHEET

CRUCIBLE
CPM S90V is a unique tool steel made by the Crucible
Particle Metallurgy process. It is a martensitic stainless
CRUCIBLE CPM S90V®
steel with a high volume of vanadium carbides for excep-
tionally good wear resistance. S90V offers substantial
(CPM 420V®) Issue #1
improvements in wear resistance over 440C and D2, and
other high chromium tool steels, with corrosion resistance Carbon 2.3%
equal to or better than 440C. Its high vanadium content
favors the formation of hard vanadium carbides instead of
Chromium 14.0%
chromium carbides for wear resistance, leaving sufficient Vanadium 9.0%
chromium in the matrix to provide good corrosion resistance. Molybdenum 1.0%
The wear and corrosion resistance of S90V make it an excellent
candidate to replace 440C, where increased wear is a primary
concern. It can replace D2 or other tool steels in applications Physical Properties
where improved corrosion resistance is also of benefit. Elastic Modulus 31X106 psi 215 GPa
The CPM process results in a finer, more uniform carbide Density 0.27 lbs/in3 7.4g/cm3
distribution imparting improved toughness and grindability Thermal Conductivity @ 200°F (65°C)
to high alloy steels. The CPM process also allows the
design of more highly alloyed grades which cannot be 10 BTU/hr-ft-°F 17.3 W/m-°K
produced by conventional steelmaking. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
°F °C in/in/°F mm/mm/°C
70-400 20-200 6.1 X 10-6 11.0 X 10-6
70-600 20-315 6.4 X10-6 11.5 X 10-6

Mechanical Properties
HARDNESS(1) MPACT TOUGHNESS(2) WEAR(3)
CPM Steel Conventional Steel HRC Heat Treatment ft.-lb. (Joules)
CPM S90V 58 (A) 19 (26) 35/40
Tool Steel Comparagraph CPM 9V 55 (B) 47 (63) 35/40
50 440C 58 (C) 16 (22) 3/4
Relative Values

Wear Resistance* D2 59 (D) 22 (30) 3/4

40
S90V 9V

*Adhesive Wear (1) A=Hardened 2050°F (1120°C), double tempered 500°F (260°C)
30
(metal to metal B=Hardened 2050°F (1120°C), double tempered 1025°F (550°C)
sliding wear.) C=Hardened 1900°F (1040°C), double tempered 400°F (204°C)
20
D=Hardened 1850°F (1010°C), double tempered 600°F (315°C)
(2) Charpy C-notch impact test
10
440C D2 (3) Crossed-cylinder adhesive wear test (higher number = better wear resistance).

0
Impact Toughness
Typical Applications CPM S90V offers higher impact toughness than 440C at
comparable hardnesses.
Plastic Injection and Extrusion Feedscrews
Charpy C- Notch Impact Toughness (ft.- lbs.)

Non-return Valve Components 50 9V

Pelletizing Equipment
Gate and Nozzle Inserts
Industrial Knives, Slitters, and Cutters 40
Long-wearing Specialty Cutlery
Injection Molds and Inserts
30
Wear Components for Food and Chemical Processing
Bearings, Bushings, Valves, Rolls D2
S90V
Gear Pumps 20 440C
Note: These are some typical applications. Your specific application should not be
undertaken without independent study and evaluation for suitability.
10

Crucible Industries LLC 0

Crucible Industries, Crucible Industries logo, CPM, 1V, 3V, 9V, 10V, S30V, S35VN, and
S90V, are all trademarks of Crucible Industries.
Corrosion Resistance Thermal Treatments
Corrosion tests measure the amount of material lost to corrosion. Annealing
Therefore, lower numbers indicate better corrosion resistance. Heat to 1650° F (900°C), hold 2 hours, slow cool at a maximum
(1) rate of 25° F (15°C) per hour to 1100° F (595C°), then furnace
Corrosion Test Results in mm/year
(2) (3) cool or cool in still air to room temperature
Boiling 10% Acetic Dilute Aqua-Regia
Annealed Hardness: Approx. BHN 277
CPM S90V 9/17 102/117
440C 29 109 Stress Relieving
D2 267 411 Annealed Parts: Heat to 1100-1300°F (595-705°C), hold 2
Notes:
(1) Lower numbers indicate better corrosion resistance. All grades heat treated to
hours, then furnace cool or cool in still air.
about HRC 56/58. Corrosion resistance depends srongly on heat treated condition Hardened Parts: Heat to 25-50° F (15-30°C) below original
and specific environment. Results should be used as a qualitative comparison only. tempering temperature, hold 2 hours, then furnace cool or cool
(2) 24 hrs.
in still air.
(3) 5% HNO3 -1% HCl (nitric + hydrochloric acids) at 24°C.

Hardening
Relative Corrosion Rates Austenitize: 2100-2150°F (1150-1175°C)
(Lower numbers indicate better corrosion resistance.)
Hold time at temperature: 20 minutes
Quench: Salt quench, interrupted oil quench, positive pressure
mm/y mm/y D2 gas quench or air cool at a minimum cooling rate of 150°F/min
400 400
(80°C/min) to below 1000°F (540°C). Cool to below 125°F (50° C)
before tempering. For optimum vacuum heat treatment
300 300 response, a minimum 4 bar gas quench is recommended.
D2
Temper: Double temper at 400-750° F (200-400°C). Hold for
a miniumum of 2 hrs. each temper. For optimum stress relieving
200 200
and dimensional stability, S90V may be double tempered at
S90V 440C 1000-1025° F (540-550°C), but tempering above 800°F (425°C)
100 100 may result in some loss of corrosion resistance. A freezing
treatment may be employed between the first and second tem-
S90V 440C
pers, if desired. Freezing treatments should always be followed
0 0
by at least one temper.
Boiling Acetic Aqua-Regia PLEASE NOTE: Tempering between about 800 and 1000°F
(425 and 540°C) is not recommended. All martensitic stainless
steels suffer from embrittlement when tempered in this range.
Machinability and Grindability Tempering Temperatures
Due to its high vanadium carbide content, the machinabili- 400°- 800°F (200°-425°C) Best Corrosion Resistance & Wear Resistance
ty and grindability of S90V will be slightly more difficult 800°-1000°F (425°-540°C) AVOID THIS RANGE (Embrittlement)
than that of D2 or 440C. Similar grinding equipment and 1000°-1025°F (540°-550°C) Stress Relieving and Dimensional Stability
practices are acceptable. SG type alumina wheels or
CBN wheels have generally given the best performance Aim Hardness: HRC 56/59
with the CPM steels. Size Change: +0.03 to +0.05%
Note: Properties shown throughout this data sheet are typical values. Normal
Size change shown is for a fully martensitic microstructure.
variations in chemistry, size and heat treat conditions may cause deviations from The presence of retained austenite may reduce the net growth.
these values. When tempering at 400-750°F (200-400°C), freezing treatments
may be necessary to minimize retained austenite.

Crucible Industries LLC

575 State Fair Blvd., Solvay, NY 13209
www.crucible.com

DS404 2/10 CPM S90V ©Crucible Industries LLC Printed in USA